Authorities have arrested two female suicide bombers in Borno State in connection with a series of improvised explosive device (IED) detonations in Gwoza, resulting in at least 18 deaths.
A local government official confirmed to Channels Television that 30 female suicide bombers were dispatched to Gwoza with the intent to detonate IEDs at various locations. So far, four suicide bombers have successfully detonated their explosives.
One of the bombers from the Pulka Axis panicked during military interrogation at a checkpoint and detonated her IED, killing herself, a soldier, and a civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) member.
The attackers infiltrated Gwoza from multiple directions, including Pulka and the Mandara mountains.
This attack is one of the deadliest in Borno State in recent months, injuring more than 30 people. The injuries range from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
The Director-General of SEMA, Barkindo Saidu, witnessed the first explosion. In his situation report, he detailed the events: “Around 3 pm, a female suicide bomber detonated an IED in the midst of a marriage ceremony celebration, injuring over 30 people and causing instant deaths. Minutes later, another blast occurred near the General Hospital.”
The wedding was taking place at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town. A survivor reported that the first bomber was carrying a baby when she detonated the IED.
As mourners gathered to bury the victims, a third female bomber detonated another IED, causing further casualties. While emergency officials were coordinating the rescue mission at the hospital, a fourth blast was set off by a female teenager.
“So far, 18 deaths have been confirmed, including children, adult males, females, and pregnant women. Nineteen seriously injured individuals were transported to Maiduguri in four ambulances,” Saidu stated. At the time of his report, 23 individuals were awaiting military escort at the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
Evacuation of the injured continued into the night, with Saidu coordinating the process on the ground. He also received reports of a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka but did not provide further details.
In response to the attacks, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza Local Government Area.
